Prayer can help you face illnesses and bring you comfort during difficult times as you accept Christ into your life. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). There are many prayers for the sick, such as healing prayers, and more specific prayers (ex. prayers for people suffering from cancer). Discover three beautiful prayers to entrust your health or the health of a close one to God’s mercy.
“O ever-Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, health of the sick, refuge of sinners,comforter of the afflicted,you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; look with mercy on me. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favours; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. I come, therefore, with complete confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests.
(Name your request)
Through gratitude for your favours, I will endeavour to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory,and bless you in eternity.
Amen.”
“May the God of all consolation bless you in every way and grant you hope all the days of your life. May God restore you to health and grant you salvation. May God fill your heart with peace and lead you to eternal life.
Amen.”
“God our Father, we bring before you today those who suffer from illness or disability; those whose lives are profoundly affected by their illness. When they feel fragile and broken, remind them that you call them by name and hold them in the palm of your hand.
When they feel devalued, remind them that they are made in the image of Jesus. When they are reminded of hard times of the past, lead them to grow in the faith that you love them today, as they are, in the reality of their lives to this day.
Amen.”
In these uncertain, often worrying times, it is important that you stay united with one another and bring comfort to your loved ones, as you would like them to comfort you. Pray for the healers around the world, the ones facing the most difficult challenges of their lives. Pray for the families, that they always stay strong and in communion with their brothers and sisters around the world. You can say a novena to Our Lady of Lourdes, or pray to St. Rita, the Patron Saint of desperate causes.
There are many prayers you can recite to support the sick spiritually, asking for the health of their body and soul. You can say specific prayers for a sick child or for people who are on their last days, that the Lord accompanies them to the end of their journey on earth. Don’t forget about healthcare professionals and all the healers, who, like Jesus Christ, put themselves at the service of the weak.
You can commit yourself to praying a novena (a form of prayer recited for nine successive days), or praying with a community: recite prayers of the faithful during religious celebrations, pray a Litany for the Sick, etc. This will give more power to your prayer intentions. The sick can also be comforted through the Holy Sacraments, such as the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Eucharist, and the Anointing of the Sick.
Hozana is a social network that lets you connect with your Christian brothers and sisters around the world by joining prayer communities. Unite in prayer with other Christians and resolve to pray for the sick, the weary, and the weak. Join a community to pray the novena to Our Lady of Lourdes.
Learn to pray with the saints: ask for the intercession of St. Michael Archangel, and ask him for his protection for nine successive days.